mollycoddle crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Struggling with the clue "mollycoddle" in your crossword puzzle? You've come to the right place! Answercrossword.com provides comprehensive solutions, explanations, and helpful tips to solve this and many other tricky clues.
Solutions for "mollycoddle crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
BABY: To treat someone with excessive care or protection, often like an infant.
5 Letters
SPOIL: To treat with excessive kindness or indulgence; often leading to negative consequences.
6 Letters
CODDLE: To treat in an overprotective or indulgent way; to pamper gently.
COSSET: To care for and protect in an overindulgent way.
PAMPER: To treat with extreme care and attention, often with luxuries.
7 Letters
INDULGE: To allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of; to allow someone to enjoy something desired.
More About "mollycoddle crossword clue"
"Mollycoddle" is a delightful word that conjures images of excessive care and pampering. Originating in the early 19th century, it literally means to treat someone like a "molly" (an effeminate man) or a "coddle" (to treat gently). In crosswords, this clue consistently points towards words related to over-nurturing, spoiling, or babying someone. Understanding its core meaning of excessive, often suffocating, kindness is key to unlocking its answers.
The clue 'mollycoddle' often appears when the setter wants a verb that denotes a specific kind of nurturing – one that might be considered detrimental or overbearing. While words like 'care' or 'nurture' are broader, 'mollycoddle' implies a lack of resilience building, making its synonyms more precise and often shorter, punchy verbs. Common solutions like PAMPER, CODDLE, and SPOIL perfectly encapsulate this idea, fitting various letter counts in standard grids.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count Letters Carefully: Always double-check the number of available boxes. For "mollycoddle," answers can range from 4 to 7 letters, so matching the length is your first crucial step.
- Consider Nuance: While answers like PAMPER and CODDLE are similar, sometimes the specific context of the overall puzzle or intersecting words will favor one over the other. Think about whether the clue implies luxury (PAMPER) or just gentle handling (CODDLE).
- Look for Intersecting Clues: The most reliable way to confirm a "mollycoddle" answer is by solving its intersecting clues. If 'P_M_ER' is a possibility and an intersecting clue gives you a 'P' and an 'M', you're likely on the right track for PAMPER.
- Think Beyond the Obvious: Sometimes, a less direct synonym like INDULGE might be the answer, especially for longer letter counts. Keep a thesaurus in mind for those trickier instances.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'mollycoddle' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'mollycoddle' typically refers to actions of overly pampering, indulging, or treating someone with excessive care, often to their detriment. Synonyms like PAMPER, CODDLE, SPOIL, and COSSET are common answers.
Are there common alternative spellings or phrases for 'mollycoddle' in crosswords?
While 'mollycoddle' itself doesn't have common alternative spellings, crossword setters might use phrases or other verbs that imply the same meaning, such as 'treat like royalty,' 'spoil rotten,' or 'overindulge,' which would lead to similar answers.
How can I distinguish between 'PAMPER' and 'CODDLE' if both fit the length?
Both PAMPER and CODDLE are very similar. The distinction often comes from other intersecting clues. PAMPER might imply more luxury or indulgence, while CODDLE can suggest a more gentle, protective, almost suffocating care. Pay close attention to surrounding letters and the specific puzzle's nuance.